Thain Family Forest

Fall Forest Weekends

November 5 & 6 and 12 & 13, 201611 a.m.–4 p.m.

Explore the Thain Family Forest, the largest remaining tract of old-growth forest in New York City, and immerse yourself in the magnificent colors of fall foliage. See the Forest from a different perspective with a scenic canoe trip down the Bronx River and spot birds that call this woodland home. Live bird demonstrations, guided tours, and more make for an unforgettable autumn experience.

Tours of the Thain Family Forest

Daily; Meet at the Forest entrance on Azalea Way
Themed discovery walks of the Forest take place throughout each day. Wear comfortable shoes and seasonal attire for the weather.
11 a.m.-Birds of the Forest
12:30 p.m.-Natural History of the Thain Family Forest
1:30 p.m.-Forest Forays for Families
2:30 p.m.-Forest Tour
3:30 p.m.-Forest Ecology

Daily; 1 & 3 p.m.Across from the Native Plant Garden entrance
The unique design and deadly weapons of birds of prey place them on top of the food chain. Learn how to identify these birds while gaining a greater understanding about their adaptations and habitats.

Quogue Wildlife Refuge
November 5 & 6
Since 1934, the Quogue Wildlife Refuge has been a nature preserve that is home to diverse wildlife including some that are permanently injured and require human care to survive. Learn all about the native New York raptors who live nearby. Quoguewildliferefuge.org

Volunteers for Wildlife
November 12 & 13
Volunteers For Wildlife is a non-profit wildlife hospital and education center founded in 1982. Located in Locust Valley, New York, Volunteers for Wildlife is dedicated to preserving Long Island's wildlife and natural habitats.
volunteersforwildlife.org

Wildlife DJ

November 12 & 13; 12 & 2 p.m.Across from the Native Plant Garden entrance
Enjoy the one-of-a-kind musician, researcher and explorer Ben Mirin as he creates music from sounds he records in nature. As a full-time wildlife DJ, he travels the world recording and making music that celebrates wildlife in order to inspire and teach more people about the natural world. He is co-creator and host of the show Wild Beats on National Geographic Kids and Nat Geo Wild, the 2016 Artist in Residence at the Bronx Zoo, and a Fellow at The Safina Center. He is also a grantee of the National Geographic Society Expeditions Council, and volunteers as a bird-watching guide for inner city public schools through the New York Audubon Society. http://benmirin.com/

November 5 & 6; 11 a.m., 12, 1, 2, & 3 p.m.Limited spaces available; first-come, first-served basis. Rides are weather contingent. The Garden and Bronx River Alliance reserve the right to cancel the rides if they deem conditions to be unsafe.
Enjoy a short paddle on the Bronx River with the Bronx River Alliance and experience the beauty of this reclaimed local gem, home to an incredible variety of fish, birds, and even beaver! The Alliance works toward the conservation of the river as an ecological, economic, and community resource.

The Bronx River Alliance serves as a coordinated voice for the river and works in harmonious partnership to protect, improve and restore the Bronx River corridor so that it can be a healthy ecological, recreational, educational and economic resource for the communities through which the river flows. The Alliance works in close partnership with the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation to achieve these goals. Bronxriver.org

November 5 & 12; 11 a.m.-4 p.m.Near the Thain Family Forest entrance on Azalea Way
Watch Ivan Braun create unique wooden bowls created from fallen trees of the Garden and learn about the art and value of this craft. Take home one of his unique creations from NYBG Shop.

Bronx-based craftsman Ivan Braun has collected wood from felled trees such as yew, red maple, plum, juniper, white oak, cherry, apple, and zelkova (a Japanese elm), crafting them into exquisite bowls and vases. He turns each piece by hand, letting the individual character and form of the tree influence the final shape, making each truly one of a kind. In addition to working with wood all his life, he has worked for several nonprofit social-service organizations.

Daily, 11 a.m.–4 p.m.Throughout the Forest
NYBG volunteers have been tracking the tree cycles of leaf, flower, and fruit development for more than 5 years. They will help you look closer at the trees within the Forest, giving you an entirely new perspective from the trails. Get help with tree and plant identification so you can explore the trees in your neighborhood more closely. Learn more about how you can be part of this ongoing project at Citizen Science.

November 3–19In the Everett Children's Adventure Garden
Visit the Everett Children's Adventure Garden to see the enormous tree cookies of a giant sequoia and a white oak, and participate in other hands-on fun. Dig deeper into the magnificent world of fall trees, from roots to branches. Learn to think like a scientist and track the changing colors of the leaves. Take a break from your research to count the rings of a giant sequoia!